39 organizations unite on landless people's issues; formation of Sagri Landless People Federation

City News Mumbai / Gani Khan

Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad and the Mumbai suburbs’ native landowners have prompted 39 organizations to come together and announce the formation of the “Sagar Landowners Federation.” The federation’s inauguration ceremony will be held on 29 September at Gadhkadi Rangayatna in Thane. According to the organizers, the event will be prominently attended by Shraddha Pavar, National President of the Nationalist Congress Party, and MP Suresh Mhatray from the Bhivandi Lok Sabha constituency.

At a press conference held in Bhivandi on Saturday, the federation’s founding MP Suresh Mhatray, also known as Baliya Mama, announced it. During the event, the federation’s secretary‑general Nilesh Patil, vice‑president Atul Mhatray, and officials from various organizations were present.

In the press conference, Suresh Mhatray said that while land and area development has progressed in the five districts, the expected development of local landowners has not materialized. He cited several issues, including the expansion of Gramthana, disputes related to Kolivada, the naming of Navi Mumbai Airport, and Mumbai’s slum settlements.

According to Mhatray, local landowners and landowners in coastal areas need to unite on their issues. He said that complaints have surfaced that local landowners’ interests are being affected by proposed government projects.

He also raised the issue of employment linked to the traditional sand industry in the Mumba area. He said that if a choupati is being developed in this area, local people connected to the traditional business should receive employment and business opportunities there.

Suresh Mhatray said that after slum settlements in Mumbai were given legal recognition, the rights of long‑time local landowners on the land also come into question. He also mentioned issues such as delays in the development of Kolivada and Gramthana, and the demand to name Navi Mumbai Airport after political leader D. B. Patil.

The landowners of the Sagar lease have previously protested over the naming of Navi Mumbai Airport. In August 2026, a protest at Delhi’s Janat‑Mantar also raised this demand.

The organizers said that the federation will work on issues related to agricultural Kolis, tribal and Bara Balutedar communities living in coastal areas, keeping it separate from party politics. The federation includes representatives from various social, farmer and local organizations.

During the event, Padma Shri Bhiklya Dinda was also announced to be honored. Meanwhile, Suresh Mhatray was announced to receive the “Sagar Ratna” award.

The federation includes 39 organizations, such as Agri‑Koli Youth Foundation (Navi Mumbai), Agri Koli Medicos, Landowners Federation, Chendani Kolivada Gaavthan Sanvardhan Committee (Thane), Agri Social Development Institution (Vaghbeel), Shetkari Sangh (Balakum), Sarvpakshiya Yuva Morcha (Domavli), Gavdevi Shetkari Sangh (Anjurr‑Dive), Agri Koli Sahitya Parishad, Landowners Foundation (Vasai), Agri Unity Organization (Mira‑Bhaiandar), Uraan Social Institution, 27 Village Struggle Committee (Raigad), Shivkranti Mavla, Shivrajya Pratisthan, Local Projected Organization (Ulve), Agri Samaj Vikas Sansthan (Chunabhatti, Mumbai) and Landowners Union (Mumbai suburbs).